Local Sheriff's Race Heats Up

One of the top local law enforcement leaders in our area, Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk, says he intends not to run for reelection after 16 years of service.

His number two in command, Captain J.D. Yeager has Paulk's endorsement. Yeager says it's his experience that sets him apart.

"Technically, I have been doing the job as far as being qualified, of course I feel that I am the best qualified candidate because I have been here and I've done this job, I've been in local law enforcement for 20 years," says Capt. Yeager.

Chris Prine is a former Georgia State Patrol Trooper. He was commander of a statewide swat team while at GSP.

"I started the first interdiction team with the state of Georgia on I-95 and I plan to continue that when elected to Sheriff," says Prine.

Quitman Georgia police Captain Roy Hart says he wants to take the department in a different direction. He's worked at the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office and says it's time to get the department accredited.

"I'm a man of my word if I set out to accomplish a goal, it's accomplished," says Capt. Hart.

Freddie Taylor says he'll focus on the budget, he wants to be a part of the decision making process. Taylor has retired from the Georgia State Patrol, he left with the high ranking of Major.

"The Sheriff's Office presently represents roughly a third of the county budget to guarantee that we're getting effective expenditure of those dollars, I'd like to be involved in how we go about managing that," says Taylor.

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